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November 17, 2016

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Democrats must reevaluate the future of the party

The title of the 1960s tune It's My Party And I'll Cry If I Want To might well summarize the feelings of many Democrats in light of last week's elections, both in Missouri and nationwide. The federal government will be in GOP hands next year. Missouri will be under Republican control in both the governor's office and the legislature. Thirty-two state legislatures are coming under GOP control and thirty-four states will have a Republican as governor. How do Democrats start to revitalize their party? What are the implications? Should the Democratic Party move to the left or to the right? Is the "Clinton era" now over? Who should become DNC chairman?

Kansas lawmakers face $345 million budget shortfall

Republicans in the Kansas Legislature and Governor Brownback are facing even more bad news about the state's budget. New figures suggest the state will end fiscal 2017 with a budget deficit of $345 million; the 2018 estimate is $582 milllion. The problem may be compounded when the State Supreme Court acts on the school finance controversy. Experience suggests the court will rule for the plaintiff districts and the decision may require the state to spend another $500 million on K-12 education. Is there any way out of this that doesn't include tax increases? How did Kansas get into this situation? Was it just the Brownback tax cuts? If they are rescinded, what's the reaction of taxpayers? Will they readily accept the hike?Should the court ameliorate its upcoming school finance decision because of the financial problems? There are rumors that Governor Brownback may be offered a seat in the Trump Cabinet. Does he owe it to Kansas to stay in Topeka, work on the deficit problem, and complete his term?

Trump win sparks demonstrations across the country

In the waning days of the presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton and her supporters worried that Donald Trump and his backers would not accept the legitimate outcome of the presidential race. Ironically, in light of the Trump victory, it seems that Hillary backers are the ones unwilling to accept the people's verdict. We've seen demonstrations on Kansas City streets and in big cities across the country protesting the result of the race. The battle cry appears to be "Not My President." While people certainly have the right to protest, what exactly do they want done? What will make them feel better and stop protesting? Does this all become more complicated because Mrs. Clinton will likely win the popular vote? Some people argue that the popular vote, not the electoral tally, should decide presidential races. Does that have merit? Why do we use the electoral system? Should the president ask the demonstrators to stop? How about Hillary? Will these displays gradually disappear?

Interview: Wendell Cox

Principal, Demographia

Interview: Wendell Cox

Principal, Demographia

Wendell Cox is principal of Demographia, a St. Louis-based public policy firm. Mr. Coxwas appointed to three terms on the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission by Mayor Tom Bradley, where he introduced the amendment to Proposition A (1980) that established the local funding set aside for the Los Angeles light rail and metro lines. He was also appointed to the Amtrak Reform Council by Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich to complete the unexpired term of New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman. There, he was instrumental in forging the final financial self-sufficiency plan that was required by the U.S. Congress.
He served for nine years as a visiting professor at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers in Paris, where he lectured on transport and demographics. He lectures widely and is a frequent op-ed commentary contributor. His regular newgeography.com column includes The Evolving Urban Form series, consisting of profiles of world urban areas.
Mr. Cox’s professional endeavors on urban and intercity transport have the objective of ensuring that riders and taxpayers receive fair value in return for their funding and that scarce public resources are directed to the most beneficial projects and programs.
Demographia’s “Public Purpose” website (www.publicpurpose.com) was designated twice by the National Journal as a “Top Transport Internet Site.” Demographia’s principal website (Demographia.com) is home of the Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey, with metropolitan area data in six nations and Hong Kong and Demographia World Urban Areas, the only annual compendium of population, land area, and density data for identified urban areas with more than 500,000 population.

Jason Grill

Jason Grill is a Senior Advisor - Public Affairs, Policy and Media at Parris Communications. He is also is the founder of JGrill Media, where he consults on media relations, public affairs, public policy and government relations. Under the same umbrella, he works as a local and national writer/contributor, hosts the Grill Nation Show on the KMBZ 980AM and is a television analyst/commentator. He is a licensed attorney in Missouri and Kansas, and a Co­founder of Sock 101. Jason served in the Missouri House of Representatives for two terms and has worked in the White House and at CNN. He is a lifelong fan of the KC Royals, KC Chiefs, Sporting KC, Notre Dame and the Missouri Tigers.

Mike Sanders

Attorney with Humphrey, Farrington and McClain

Mike Sanders

Attorney with Humphrey, Farrington and McClain

Mike Sanders has always called Greater Kansas City home, even when away during his service as a United States Army officer and while a student at The Ohio State University (OSU) School of Law. He currently is an Attorney with the firm Humphrey, Farrington and McClain.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Mike set out for law school at The Ohio State University. However, after a semester, he volunteered to serve the nation in the military during the Gulf War era. He was a commissioned officer in the United States Army, rising to the rank of first lieutenant.
Upon completing his military service, he resumed his studies and earned his Juris Doctorate from The OSU School of Law in 1994.
Initially, Mike embarked on his law career in 1994 in the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. He served as a special prosecutor for the Jackson County Drug Task Force and was the lead attorney for D.A.R.T. (Drug Abatement Response Team). He personally prosecuted drug dealers, armed robbers, rapists and murderers.
In 1995, he received the Rookie Prosecutor of the Year award from the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. That same year Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) named Mike the Top Prosecutor of the Year for the state of Missouri. MADD’s Heartland Chapter also presented him the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.
In 1997, Mike entered private practice, yet continued to serve the County’s citizens as an appointed special counsel by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office.
Mike was first elected Jackson County Prosecutor in 2002, then reelected in 2004. During his tenure as the elected Prosecutor, he retooled and strengthened the County’s jailing procedures, pioneered legislation and enlisted extensive DNA testing to convict perpetrators of both recent crimes and dozens of previously unsolved “cold cases.” He also pursued the prosecution of several serial killers and he streamlined spending and accountability measures in the County’s COMBAT Program.
In the fall of 2005, Mike joined with citizens in the community to launch “The Silence Is Killing Us.” The campaign put existing dollars and more innovative strategies to work in creating safer communities.
The campaign, beginning with rallies in the Prospect and Troost corridors, focused on the neighborhoods most affected by the homicides and it exceeded many of its goals.
Mike was elected to his third term as Jackson County Executive in 2014, having first been elected in 2006. Since taking office in January 2007, he has worked to fundamentally change the way Jackson County Government operates on a daily basis. He immediately acted to limit his own Executive authority, worked toward comprehensive ethics reform and demanded that the county live within its economic means.

Crosby Kemper III

Crosby Kemper III is executive director of the Kansas City Public Library and former CEO of UMB Financial Corporation. He co-founded and is chairman of the Show-Me Institute. He has taught English at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, and been a bookseller in Grand Central Station in New York City. He is the editor of, and contributor to, Winston Churchill: Resolution, Defiance, Magnanimity, Good Will. In 2003-04, he chaired the Commission on the Future of Higher Education in Missouri for then-Missouri Gov. Bob Holden. He has served on the board of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation which operates Monticello, and the boards of the Kansas City Symphony, the Black Archives of Mid-America, Union Station Kansas City, and Lapham’s Quarterly. He helped Marilyn Strauss found the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and was its first board chair. He also founded and chaired the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. He has received the Difference Maker Award from the Urban League of Kansas City, the William F. Yates Medallion for Distinguished Service from William Jewell College, the 2010 Harmony Humanitarian Hoffman Legacy Award, and he and the KCPL received the Gold Medal for Libraries from the Institute for Museum and Library Services presented at the White House by former librarian and First Lady Laura Bush. He was inducted into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame by the Kansas City Kansas Community College Endowment Association and was appointed to the Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University.

Annie Presley

An accomplished fundraising and political consultant in the for-profit and non-profit arenas, Annie has enjoyed the privilege of spearheading many successful and fascinating campaigns. In April 2014, Annie achieved yet another a lifelong dream by becoming a published author with the availability of her first book, "Read This...tm When I'm Dead" with co-author Christy Howard. A self-help book designed for people to leave behind important information for their heirs. A second title in the series, "Read This...tm On Our Anniversary" was published in Spring 2015. See www.ReadThis.guru.
In 1983, she started Legal Assistance Inc., Kansas City's first temporary paralegal service agency which still thrives today under a different name. After its sale, she joined Kit Bond as Finance Director for his first re-election to the U. S. Senate in 1992. After his win, she opened The McKellar Group and introduced the political model of fundraising to non-profits. An early client, Swope Parkway Health Center was a believer and invited Lady Margaret Thatcher to launch their inaugural "Great Leaders Award" raising more than $500,000 and drawing more than 1500 people. The success of this event positioned McKellar as the leading event fundraising firm for area non-profits and political figures.
As a result, in April 1999, Annie was summoned to Austin, Tx, where she joined the fledgling Bush for President campaign as National Deputy Director of Finance. Working through the January 2011 Inaugural festivities, she took a high profile political position in NYC at UBS PaineWebber as VP and Director of Governmental Affairs and Charitable Giving. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Annie fashioned a way home, reviving McKellar as a consultancy with new political strategy skills and knowledge of complex financial instruments. In August 2011 she joined the Bryan Cave Public Policy Group, launching its KC office to "straighten the crooked path" for the firm's clients.
In 2014, AP retired from the political world and is now focusing her time on consulting, writing books, playing golf, and teaching herself to play piano. Sometimes she and her husband sneak away to the beach!

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Ruckus offers viewpoints on top stories from four different panelists each week. The Ruckettes, who are public newsmakers and officials, provide a diversity of opinion through debate and discussion on issues affecting the Kansas City metro. Moderator Mike Shanin leads this ensemble of conservatives and liberals who provide lively round table talks about issues that face our community today.

Watch Ruckus Thursdays at 7 p.m. Join the conversation at @KCPT by using #RuckusKC and KCPT.

Mike Shanin, Host

Mike Shanin’s been hosting Ruckus since the program’s debut in 1995 and in recent years, has also served as Managing Editor. A veteran Kansas City radio broadcaster, Shanin has worked as a talk show host, political analyst, news anchor and in management. Since leaving radio in early 2012, he’s done freelance pubic speaking and commercial radio and television projects. A graduate of both Northwest Missouri State University and Park University, Shanin’s academic emphasis was on Political Science, Social Science, and Public Administration. He served in the U.S. Army as a Broadcast and Information Specialist between1968 and 1970, stationed initially at Ft. McPherson, GA., and later with the First Infantry Division in Vietnam. @MikeShanin

DISCUSSIONS

Ruckus | Discussions

Daddi Jimm

seriously. Mike Shanin’s time is UP.

Brad Lang

Agree re Mike. Effete and anachronistic neo-con, who just makes statements without any real evidence or support of his proven-ineffective trickle-down Keynesian economics BS, particularly with regard with the no-way-you-can-argue-otherwise-failure of the Kansas Brownback plan. Been a long time supporter of KCPT, but Mike and this new Ron Freeman guy, who also just says stuff that’s just empirically and obviously wrong (which Mike, as the “objective” host, should probably challenge, which he never does), has transformed me from a KCPT apostle into someone who thinks KCPT is just a joke.

Rose

Thank you to Woody for pointing out that Kansas City is in the worst financial condition of any city of our size. I wasn’t aware of how bad we are doing. What do our city leaders have to say about the city’s financial condition And what plans do they have to turn this around?

Cammie Braden

The panel discussion re: Kansas and the interview with Sam Brownback did not provide ample discussion on both sides – mostly the conservative point of view. In addition, Woody Coward needs a lesson on rural Kansas. Most of rural Kansas is not made up of oil barons. Has he ever travelled to rural Atchison County? I’ve never seen an oil well in Atchison County or any rural area in NE Kansas. On the subject of rural consolidation of schools, I’d like the panel to talk to high school students who live in the consolidated Prairie Hills School District. Ask how long it takes to drive from the town of Summerfield (west side of the district) to the High School in Sabetha (east side of the district). It’s a 1 hour car ride. Not sure how long it would take on a school bus.

Mike Jones

Wow, I’m old but darn not as pointless as the last couple of panels on this show….

bill

watching your show,,,,,,and you and your team does not get it. ‘uneducated’ is not the word to use. non college educated would be a better tag. you ‘educated’ people sure were not very smart in calling this election. need to take a long look in your mirrors.

Rebecca Hamilton

I am amazed at how out of touch you and your panelists are with the young, old, black, hispanic, Native American, LGBT, undocumented, and other Americans who are committed to social justice. You condescendingly express your disappointment that the poor little billionaire isn’t getting the honeymoon period he so “richly” deserves. Boo Hoo. And people who didn’t bother to vote for Donald or Hillary don’t have a right to be heard on the issues that impact their lives?

Very little democracy occurs in a presidential election. There is the increasing effect of big money on politics. The media shapes the information the public receives. Even fake news gets higher interest than the real news. Third parties that actually talk about the issues instead of name calling don’t have a chance to be heard. If that’s democracy, then democracy is just a convenient illusion.
You just have a “feeling” that “these people” are such spoiled brats that they won’t listen to anyone, including Obama and Bernie Sanders. You need to check your facts. They are listening to Bernie, and they believe that Bernie has and will listen to them and lead the revolution. If he doesn’t, someone else will.
And the panel also has a “feeling” that the demonstrators will inevitably “get violent” and then they will be shamed into silence. I, for one, don’t think it’s going to play out like that.
The burning question on your lips is “What do they want?” I think I can answer your question.
They want this country to get real about climate change. They want to stop the Dakota Pipeline and all threats to drinking water and the environment. They are not going to sit on their hands and hope for the best.
The revolution will not be televised. When Trump tries to build the wall, we will stand up and stand in the way. When he tries to deport our friends, sisters, mothers, and brothers, we will stand up and stand in the way. When Trump tries to appoint supreme court justices that want to go back in time and make America “great again” by promoting misogymy, racism and greed, we will stand up and stand in the way. He can’t drive this country off the cliff unless we let him.
We look to the brave souls standing up and in the way of the Dakota pipeline to show us the way.

Stay tuned. The revolution will not be televised.

Rebecca Hamilton

I forgot to mention the person who lined up to drink the Trump kool-aid and reported that people protesting against Trump as president had been paid to do so. No one blinked. No one raised an eye brow. Why did the entire panel accept this reality defying explanation? Because Donald said so. Next time I want careful and intelligent analysis of the news, I’ll turn on Fox news.

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